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27/09/2010
Officer Says He 'Should Have Shot Sooner'
A firearms officer who shot an armed barrister has said he regretted not firing sooner.
After a lengthy siege in 2008, Mark Saunders, 32, was killed at his flat in west London.
An officer, known as AZ8, has told an inquest at Westminster Coroner's Court that he should have opened fire on Mr Saunders earlier.
As Mr Saunders' family say he was not a threat, the police say they fired to protect themselves.
In the hearing, AZ8 said he was about to shoot when the 32-year-old jerked his gun upwards, so he desisted.
AZ8 opened fire moments later, after the barrister dipped his gun towards the officer for a second time.
He commented: "It just got past that point of no return. I have seen the film (of the incident shot from a police helicopter), and I am kicking myself because I feel I left it too late.
"I should have taken the shot the first time he brought it down.
"I only had a nanosecond to make that decision."
(BMcN/GK)
After a lengthy siege in 2008, Mark Saunders, 32, was killed at his flat in west London.
An officer, known as AZ8, has told an inquest at Westminster Coroner's Court that he should have opened fire on Mr Saunders earlier.
As Mr Saunders' family say he was not a threat, the police say they fired to protect themselves.
In the hearing, AZ8 said he was about to shoot when the 32-year-old jerked his gun upwards, so he desisted.
AZ8 opened fire moments later, after the barrister dipped his gun towards the officer for a second time.
He commented: "It just got past that point of no return. I have seen the film (of the incident shot from a police helicopter), and I am kicking myself because I feel I left it too late.
"I should have taken the shot the first time he brought it down.
"I only had a nanosecond to make that decision."
(BMcN/GK)
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